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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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OR 



PLAIN -QUESTIONS AND EASY ANSWERS, 



IN 



!|3lBJJE ]~fl£TOF\Y AfiD ^OCTr^E, 



AND AS TO 



it {pong W^t: 
THE LITTLE ONES. 



BY 



PROF. M. H. RICHARDS. 

/ i rrn - ' 



PHILADELPHIA : 
G. W. FREDERICK, PUBLISHER, 

117 North Sixth Street. 




us 



ND that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, 



J which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith 
which is in Christ Jesus. — 2 Tim. 3 : 15. 



[RECEPT upon precept, line upon line, here a little, and there 



LMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dosf will that not one of 



J these little ones should perish, and hast sent Thine Only Son to 
seek and to save that which was lost, and through Him hast said, 
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not ; for 
of such is the Kingdom of God ; most heartily we beseech Thee so 
to bless and govern the children of Thy Church, by Thy Holy 
Spirit, that they may grow in grace and in the knowledge of Thy 
Word ; protect and defend them against all danger and harm, giving 
Thy holy Angels charge over them ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 





a little. — Isa. 28 : 13. 





Copyrighted, 1888, by G. W. Frederick. 



beginner's catechism. 



3 



Lesson 1. 

1. Who made you, and all things ? 
God. 

2. Out of what did God make all things ? 
Out of nothing. 

3. How did He make all things ? 
By His Will and Word. 

4. Where do you learn this ? 
In the Holy Bible. 

5. Who wrote the Bible ? 
Holy men of old. 

6. Who taught them how and what to write ? 
God Himself: 

7. What does the Bible teach of God? 
That there is one God. 

8. What is taught of this one God ? 

That He is Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

9. What therefore do we call Him ? 
The Triune God. 

10. What does that mean ? 

He is Three in One, and One in Three. 

11. Can we understand (his ? 
No, we cannot. 

12. What then must we do ? 
We must believe it. 



4 beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 2. 

L What is God ? 
God is Spirit. 

2. What is true of Him alone ? 
He alone is altogether good. 

3. Did God's life ever begin ? 

God always was and is. and will be. 

4. What are we taught of His power ? 
He can do whatever He will. 

5. Does God know all things ? 

He knows, and sees, and hears all things. 

6. Where is God present ? 

He is always and everywhere present. 

7. What else is God ? 

He is all wise and all holy. 

8. What more do we know of God ? 
He is ever just and true'. 

9. Is this all we know of Him ? 
No ; God is Love. 

10. How has He shown this love ? 
He made us in His own likeness. 

11. How has He further shown this? 
He has delivered us from our sins. 

12. flow will He finally show it ? 

He will take us to Himself in Heaven. 



beginner's catechism. 

Lesson 3. 

1. When did God make all things ? 
In the beginning. 

2. What did He first command ? 
God said, Let there be Light. 

3. What came thus into being ? 
The Day and the Night. 

4. What was God's next command ? 
Let there be a firmament. 

5. What was made by this Word ? 
The Heaven above us. 

6. What was the third thing God did ? 
He set the land apart from the water. 

7. What did He make the earth bring forth 
Grass, herbs, and trees. 

8. What were the fourth things made ? 
The Sun, Moon, and Stars. 

9. What were the fifth to be made ? 
The fishes and the fowls. 

10. What were the sixth to be made ? 
The beasts of the earth, and man. 

11. Was man made like the beasts ? 
No ; man was made a living soul. 

12. What then are we? 

Spiritual beings, having eternal life. 



beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 4. 

1. How was man's body made ? 
Out of the dust of the ground. 

2. Where was the man placed ? 
In a garden, called Eden. 

3. What had he to do? 

To dress it and to keep it. 

4. What had he to eat ? 
The fruit of the trees. 

5. What was he not to touch ? 

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

6. Who was made as a help meet for him ? 
The woman. 

7. Oat of what was she made ? 
A rib out of the man's side. 

8. What was the man's name ? 
Adam. 

9. What was the woman's name ? 
Eve. 

10. What other beings had God made? 
The angels, spirits without bodies. 

11. Are they good beings ? 

All were at first ; some are not now. 

12. What are the evil angels called ? 
Devils. 



beginner's catechism. 

Lesson 5. 

1. By what name is the chief devil called ? 
Satan, or the Devil. 

2. What did he do ? 

He tempted Adam and Eve to sin. 

3. In what form did he do (his ? 
In the form of a serpent. 

4. What do you mean by sin ? 
Not to fear, love, and serve God. 

5. What was their sin ? 

They ate of the forbidden tree. 

6. What came from this act ? 
The sense of shame and sin. 

7. How was their sin punished ? 
They became dying creatures. 

8. What else happened to them ? 
They were driven out of Eden. 

9. What else happened because of sin ? 
The ground was cursed. 

10. What sprang up from it? 
Thorns and thistles. 

11. How now could man find food ? 
By hard and painful toil. 

1 2. What then are the fruits of sin ? 
Sorrow, pain, and death. 



8 



beginnek's catechism. 



Lesson 6. 

1. Who were the sons of Adam and Eve ? 
Cain and Abel. 

2. What was Abel ? 
A keeper of sheep. 

3. What was Cain ? 

A tiller of the ground. 

4. What did they bring to the Lord ? 
Each one, an offering. 

5. How were these received ? 
Abel's with favor ; Cain's without. 

6. Ptow did Cain take this ? 
He was angry. 

7. Why was Cain's offering not favored ? 
It was not offered in the right spirit. 

8. What did Cain do now ? 
He slew his brother Abel. 

9. What was his punishment ? 
God put a curse upon him. 

10. What other son had Adam and Eve ? 
Seth. 

11. Of whom was Seth the forefather? 
Enoch, who walked with God. 

12. Who was Enoch's great-grandson ? 
Noah. 



beginner's catechism. 

Lesson 7. 

1. How had men now become ? 
Very wicked. 

2. What did the Lord say ? 
I will destroy man. 

3. Who found grace with God ? 
Noah, for his piety. 

4. What did God tell Noah to do ? 
To build an ark. 

5. What more was he to do ? 

Bring living things and food into it. * 

6. Then what was he to do ? 
Go into it with all his family. 

7. What came now upon the earth ? 
A great flood. 

8. How long did the rain last ? 
Forty days and forty nights. 

9. What became of all outside the ark ? 
All were drowned. 

10. After the flood, where did the ark rest ? 
On Mount Ararat. 

11. What did God establish with Noah ? 
A covenant of mercy. 

12. What did He set as the sign of this? 
The bow in the cloud. 



10 



beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 8. 

1. Who were Noah's sons? 
Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 

2. Who came from them ? 
All men everywhere. 

3. What is said of men after the flood? 
They all had one language. 

4. What did they begin to build ? 
The tower of Babel. 

5. Why was this done ? 

To prevent men from scattering. 

6. How did God put an end to this ? 
He confounded their language. 

7. Of whom was Shem the forefather ? 
Of Abraham. 

8. What did God tell him to do ? 
To go into the land of Canaan. 

9. What did God promise to do ? 
To make him a great nation. 

10. What more was he promised ? 

To be the forefather of our Saviour. 

11. How long was this before Jesus' birth ? 
Two thousand years. 

12. Who went with Abraham to Canaan ? 
Sarah, his wile, and Lot their nephew. 



beginner's catechism. 

Lesson 9. 

1. Where did Lot dwell? 
In Sodom. 

2. What became of this city ? 
It was destroyed for its sins. 

3. What became of Lot ? 
God warned him to escape. 

4. What did Lot's wife do, as they fled ? 
She looked back and lingered. 

5. What happened to her ? 

She was turned into a pillar of salt. 

6. Who was Abraham's son ? 
Isaac. 

7. What was Abraham ordered to do ? 
To offer up Isaac to God. 

8. When doing this, what happened ? 
God stayed Abraham's hand. 

9. Why then had God ordered it ? 
To try Abraham's faith. 

10. Who now received God's promise? 
Isaac. 

11. Who became Isaac's wife? 
Rebekah. 

12. Who were their twin children? 
Esau and Jacob. 



12 beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 10. 

1. Who became the heir of the promise? 
Jacob ; to whom Esau sold his birthright. 

2. How many sons had Jacob ? 
Twelve sons. 

3. Who descended from them ? 
The twelve tribes of Israel. 

4. Which son did Jacob especially love? 
Joseph, the next to the youngest. 

5. What became of him ? 

His brothers sold him as a slave. 

6. Whither was he taken ? 
To Egypt. 

7. What happened to him there ? 
He foretold a seven years' famine. 

8. What did the king make him ? 
Ruler of Egypt, next to the king. 

9. When the famine came, what did he do ? 
Fed his father and his brothers. 

10. Where did Joseph find them a home ? 
In Egypt, in the land of Goshen. 

11* How long did Israel remain there ? 
Over two hundred years. 

12. Whither did they go then ? 
Back to Canaan, the promised land. 



beginner's catechism. 



13 



Lesson 11. 

1. Who led Israel out of Egypt? 
Moses. 

2. When was this ? 

About fifteen hundred years before Christ. 

3. Why did the Egyptians let them go ? 
God sent grievous plagues upon them. 

4. Which way did Israel go ? 
Toward the Red Sea. 

5. What did Egypt do then ? 
Sent an army after them. 

6. How did the Israelites escape? 
God divided the Red Sea for them. 

1, What became of the Egyptians? 
Following into the Sea, they were drowned. 

8. How long was Israel on its journey ? 
Forty years. 

9. Why were they so long on their way ? 
As a punishment for their sins. 

10. How did they find food ? 

God sent manna from heaven for them. 

11. What did God give during this time? 
The Law from Mount Sinai. 

12. What was built by God's command ? , 
The Tabernacle ; in which was the Ark. 



14 



beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 12. 

1. How did God guide Israel? 

By a pillar of cloud by day, and of fire by night. 

2. Who led them all these years ? 
Moses. 

3. Who led them into Canaan ? 
Joshua. 

4. What had become of Moses ? 

He died on Mount Pisgah, in sight of Canaan. 

5. Which was the first city taken in Canaan ? 
Jericho. 

6. How was it taken ? 

God threw down its walls by a miracle. 

7. Who were their great enemies ? 
The Philistines. 

8. What made them prevail over Israel ? 
God's anger at Israel's sins. 

9. What was their great sin ? 

They forsook God to worship idols. 

10, Who saved Israel from the Philistines ? 
Judges, raised up by God. 

LI. What judge was a very strong man ? 
Samson. 

12, Who was the last judge? 
Samuel. 



beginner's catechism. 

Lesson 13. 

1. When did Samuel begin to serve God ? 
As a child, in the tabernacle. 

2. Who was the priest there ? 

Eli ; an old man whose sons were wicked. 

3. What did God reveal to Samuel? 
A terrible punishment for Israel. 

4. What was this punishment ? 

The Philistines should capture the ark, 

5. Did the Philistines keep it ? 
No ; God did not permit that. 

6. How did He make them give it up ? 
By sending plagues upon them. 

7. What was Israel's next sin ? 
They wanted to have a king. 

8. What was Samuel told to do ? 

To punish them, by giving them one, 

9. Who was made king ? 
Saul. 

10. How did he act? 

At first, well ; then he disobeyed God. 

11. Whom did God then choose to be king ? 
David. 

12. What became of Saul ? 

He fell in battle with the Philistines. 



16 



beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 14. 

1. How long was David king ? 
Forty years. 

2. Did he serve the Lord ? 

He feared, loved, and served God. 

3. What was his reward ? 
Victory and prosperity. 

4 Did he never do anything wrong ? 
He sinned at times, but always repented. 

5. How was he punished ? 

His son Absalom rebelled against him. 

6. How was he rewarded ? 

God gave him an everlasting kingdom. 

7* How could this be ? 
David was the forefather of our Saviour. 

8. What is Christ often called? 
The Son of David. 

9, In what city did David dwell? 
Jerusalem. 

10. What did he wish to build there ? 
A temple for the worship of God. 

11. When was this temple built ? 
In the reign of David's son. 

12. What was the name of this son ? 
Solomon. 



beginnek's catechism. 17 



Lesson 15. 

1. For what is Solomon noted ? 
As being the wisest man. 

2. Who gave him his wisdom ? 
It was God's gift. 

3. Where was the temple built ? 
On Mount Zion. 

4. What is told of it ? 

It was very beautiful and costly. 

5. What especially was in it ? 
The ark made by Moses. 

6. When was it built ? 

A thousand years before Christ. 

7. How did men worship in it? 
By prayer and sacrifice. 

8. What did their worship foretell ? 
Salvation through Christ's death. 

9. Was Israel faithful to God now ? 
No ; too often it fell into idolatry. 

10. What was the result of this ? 

God destroyed the kingdom and the temple. 

11. Whom did God send to do this ? 
The king of Babylon. 

12. How long did the kingdom last? 
About five hundred years. 



18 beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 16. 

1. Whom did God send to warn Israel ? 
Holy men, called prophets. 

2. Who were among the first? 
Elijah and Elisha. 

3. Who were among the last? 
Isaiah and Jeremiah. 

4. Who prophesied Israel's fall ? 
Ezekiel. 

5. Who foretold the return from captivity ? 
Daniel. 

6. Under whom did this take place? 
Cyrus, king of Persia. 

7. What was then done ? 
The temple was built again. 

8. Who was the priest of this temple ? 
Ezra ; who wrote of these things. 

9. Who was a pious ruler oyer them ? 
Nehemiah ; who also has written. 

10. Did the Jews become idolaters again ? 
No ; but they sinned in other ways. 

11. Who was the last prophet among them ? 
Malachi, four hundred years before Christ. 

12. What did he especially foretell ? 

The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. 



beginner's catechism. 

Lesson 17. 

1. When was the Christ born ? 

In the reign of Caesar Augustus. 

2. Where was Christ born ? 
In Bethlehem of Judea. 

3. Who was his mother ? 

He was born of the Virgin Mary. 

4. Who was his father ? 

He was conceived by the Holy Ghost. 

5. What, therefore, is our Lord ? 
He is true God and true Man. 

6. Who heralded his birth ? 
A multitude of angels. 

7. Who heard and saw them ? 
Shepherds, watching over their flocks. 

8. Where did they find the babe? 
Lying in a manger. 

9. What name was given to our Lord ? 
Jesus. 

10. What do we call Christ's birthday? 
Christmas. 

11. When do we celebrate it? 

On the twenty-fifth of December. 

12. How long ago was he born ? 

We count our years from his birth. 



20 beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 18. 

1. Who came to worship Jesus ? 
Wise men from the east. 

2. Whither did they come ? 

To Jerusalem, to king Herod 

3. Where were they told to go ? 

To Bethlehem, as the prophets had written. 

4. What led them to the right place ? 
The Star they had seen in the east. 

5. What gifts did they offer? 
Gold, incense, and myrrh. 

6. What did Herod try to do ? 
To kill Jesus and his mother. 

7. What prevented him from doing it ? 
God warned them to flee into Egypt. 

8. After this where did they go ? 
They dwelt in Nazareth of Galilee. 

9. Where did Jesus go when twelve years old ? 
To Jerusalem to the temple, 

10. What did he do there ? 

He heard and asked the doctors questions. 

11. What did they think of him ? 
They wondered at his wisdom. 

12. What did he say, when his mother sought him ? 
I must be about my Father's business. 



beginner's catechism. 

Lesson 19. 

1. Who foretold Christ's kingdom ? 
John the Baptist. 

2. What did he preach ? 
Repent and be baptized. 

3. What did he declare ? 

The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

4. What did he urge men to do ? 
To prepare the way of the Lord. 

5. Who came to him to be baptized ? 
Jesus himself, to fulfil the Law. 

6. What happened when he was baptized ? 
The Holy Ghost descended upon him. 

T. What voice came from heaven also ? 
Thou art my beloved Son. 

8. How old was Jesus now? 
About thirty years of age. 

9. What followed Jesus' baptism ? 

He was tempted forty days of the devil. 

10. How did this turn out? 
The devil departed defeated. 

11. Did Jesus ever sin ? 

Though tempted, he was without sin. 

12. What did our Lord now begin ? 
His public teaching of the Gospel. 



22 beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 20. 

1. Whom did Christ call to him ? 
Twelve apostles. 

2. Who were the chief of these ? 
Peter, Andrew, James and John. 

3. Who are the next in order ? 

Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, and Mathew 

4. Who were the last four ? 

James, Lebbeus, Simon, and Judas. 

5. What was the office of the apostles ? 
To be witnesses of Christ. 

6. What were they to see and hear ? 
What he said, and did, and suffered. 

7. What did Christ say ? 

He said he was the promised Saviour. 

8. What did He do ? 

Many wondrous works to prove His word. 

9. What did He suffer ? 
He died upon the cross. 

10. Why was this ? 

To work out forgiveness of sin for us. 

11. How can we obtain it? 

By believing upon Jesus Christ. 

12. PLow can we show our belief? 

By loving, obeying, and serving Him. 



beginner's catechism. 

Lesson 21. 

1. Did the Jews receive their Saviour ? 
No ; they rejected him. 

2. Why was this ? 

Their sinful hearts would not believe. 

3. What then did they do ? 

They hated him, and crucified him. 

4. Who betrayed Jesus to them ? 

Judas Iscariot, for thirty pieces of silver. 

5. Where did he betray Jesus ? 

In Gethsemane, on the Mount of Olives. 

6. Where was Jesus taken ? 

To be tried by the High Priest. 

7. What did Jesus declare himself to be ? 
The Christ, the Son of God. 

8. What did they say he was ? 
A deceiver, guilty of death, 

9. Which of the apostles denied Jesus ? 
Peter, who afterwards repented. 

10. Where was Jesus taken? 

To Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. 

11. What did he do? 

He tried to set Jesus free. 

12. Why did he do this? 

He believed him to be innocent and holy. 



24 



beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 22. 

1. Did Pilate set Jesus free ? 
No ; he was afraid of the Jews. 

2. What did he do to please them ? 
He ordered Jesus to be crucified. 

3. Who were crucified with Jesus ? 
Two thieves ; one of whom repented. 

4. Where was Jesus crucified ? 
On Mt. Calvary, near Jerusalem. 

5. What was written on his cross ? 
Jesus, the king of the Jews. 

6. What came now upon the earth ? 
Darkness for three hours. 

7. What did Jesus say, when he died ? 
It is finished. 

8. What followed after his death ? 

The earth quaked ; the graves opened. 

9. What did the Roman soldiers say ? 
Truly this was the Son of God. 

10, Who stood by Jesus' cross? 

His mother, and the apostle John. 

11, Who buried Jesus' body? 

Joseph, a rich man, a disciple of Jesus. 

12, How did they know Jesus was dead ? 
The soldiers ran a spear into his heart. 



beginner's catechism. 

Lesson 23 

1. What happened on the third day ? 
Jesus rose again from the dead. 

2. Who saw this ? 

The soldiers who watched his tomb. 

3. What else was seen ? 

An angel who rolled back the stone. 

4. Who else saw this angel ? 
Two women, each called Mary. 

5. What did the angel say to them ? 
He is not here ; for he is risen. 

6. Whom then did they see ? 
Jesus himself. 

7. Who else saw Jesus? 

The apostles and other believers. 

8. How long did he shew himself ? 
For forty days. 

9. What then did He do ? 

He ascended visibly into heaven. 

10. What were the disciples told ? 

He would come again in like manner. 

11. What were they promised ? 
The power of the Holy Ghost. 

12. How many of them were there ? 
About one hundred and twenty. 



26 beginnek's catechism. 

Lesson 24. 

1. When did the apostles receive the Holy Ghost ? 
On the day of Pentecost. 

2. By what name do we call this day ? 
Whit Sunday. 

3. Where were they at this time ? 
At Jerusalem. 

4. How did the Holy Ghost appear ? 

In a rushing wind, and tongues of fire. 

5. What effect had it upon them ? 
They spoke in unknown tongues. 

6. Who heard and understood them ? 
Many persons speaking these tongues. 

7. Who preached to these persons ? 
Peter, the apostle. 

8. What did he tell them to do ? 

Repent and be baptized in Christ's name. 

9. How many received his Word ? 
About three thousand. 

10. What did the apostles do now? 
Many wonders and signs. 

11. What thus began to be ? 
The Christian Church. 

12. Who became members of it? 

Those who believed and were baptized. 



beginner's catechism. 



27 



Lesson 25. 

1. What happens to the Church ? 
The Jews persecuted it. 

2. Who was the first martyr ? 
Stephen. 

3. Who aided in his death ? 
Saul, afterwards called Paul. 

4. What happened to this Paul ? 
He was converted at Damascus. 

5. How did this take place ? 

The Lord showed himself to him. 

6. What did Paul become ? 
The apostle to the Gentiles. 

7. Where did he found churches? 
In Asia and in Europe. 

8. How did his life end ? 

He was put to death at Rome. 

9. Who wrote the Gospels ? 
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 

10. What are the Gospels ? 

Accounts of what Jesus taught and did. 

11. Who wrote the Acts? 
Luke. 

12. What does the Acts contain ? 

What the Apostles did after Christ's death. 



28 beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 26. 

1. What do the Gospels teach us ? 
Salvation through Jesus Christ. 

2. How does Christ save us ? 
His death atones for our sins. 

3. How do we share in his merits ? 
Through faith in Him as our Saviour. 

4. How do we get power to believe ? 
Through the Holy Ghost. 

5. What means does the Holy Ghost use? 
The Word and the Sacraments. 

6. Which are the Sacraments ? 
Baptism and the Lord's Supper. 

7. Who has these in its keeping ? 
The Church of Christ. 

8. To whom does the Church give them ? 
To all who sincerely seek them. 

9. What then ought we to do ? 
Earnestly seek, and faithfully use them. 

10. What ought we to become ? 
Faithful members of Christ's Church. 

11* How do we enter into the church? 
By baptism, even in our infancy. 

12. How do we acknowledge our baptism ? 
By confirmation, in our youth. 



beginner's catechism. 

Lesson 27. 

1. What was the Church called at first? 
The Christian Church. 

2. How did it express its faith ? 
In the Apostles' Creed. 

3. Did it remain true to Christ ? 
Grievous errors crept into it. 

4. How did it try to correct them ? 

By a new statement of the true faith. 

5. What was this called ? 
The Nicene Creed. 

9. Did this keep it in a holy life ? 
No ; quarrels and separations followed. 

7. What was the church in Europe called ? 
The Church of Rome. 

8. What in time befell it also ? 

Much false doctrine and sinful living. 

9. Who, under God, tried to reform it? 
Martin Luther, in 1517. 

10. What did he do? 

He protested against these errors. 

11. What also did he do? 

He taught the truth as it is in the Bible. 

12. What are his followers called ? 
The Evangelical Lutheran Church. 



30 



beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 28. 

1. What does the Lutheran Church teach? 
That we are saved by faith in Christ. 

2. Where do we find this faith taught ? 
In the Word of God, the Scriptures. 

3. Are the Scriptures the only authority ? 
Yes ; they alone have authority. 

4. What then must the Church have ? 
The pure gospel and right sacraments. 

5. Does a true church need anything more ? 
No ; nothing less, but nothing more. 

6. Can we not be saved by good works ? 

No ; sinners can not do such good works. 

7. Are all men sinners ? 

All are born in sin, and condemned to death. 

8. How then can we believe ? 

The Spirit calls us, and gives power to believe. 

9. What do we receive in Baptism? 
God's grace and favor are received. 

10. How do we receive these ? 

Through the Holy Ghost regenerating us. 

11. Whatisthe Lord's Supper? 

The true body and blood of our Lord. 

12. What does it work, for believers? 
The remission of sins. 



beginner's catechism. 31 

Lesson 29. 

1. What is the Catechism ? 

A summary of Scriptural doctrine. 

2. Who prepared it ? 
Martin Luther. 

3. How does it begin? 

With the ten commandments. 

4. How does the first begin ? 
I am the Lord thy God. 

5. What does it command ? 

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 

6. What does it mean ? [all things. 
We should fear, love, and trust in God above 

7. What does the second say ? [God in vain. 
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy 

8. What reason does it add ? 

For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that 
taketh his name in vain. 

9. What does this mean ? 

We should so fear and love God. 

10. How should we fear Him ? [by his name. 
As not to curse, swear, conjure, lie or deceive 

11. When are we to use his name ? 

But call upon him in every time of need. 

12. How show our love for Him ? [thanksgiving. 
And worship him with prayer, praise, and 



32 beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 30. 

1. What is the third commandment? 
Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy, 

2. What does this mean ? 

We should so fear and love God. 

3. How do we show our fear? [of the Gospel. 
As not to despise his word and the preaching 

4. How show our love ? [it. 
But deem it holy and willingly hear and learn 

5. What is the fourth commandment ? 
Honor thy father and thy mother. 

6. What is its promise ? 

That thy days may be long upon the land 
which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 

7. What does this mean ? 

We should so fear and love God. 

8. How should we fear Him? [and superiors. 
As not to despise nor displease our parents 

9. How should we love Him ? 

But honor, serve, obey, love and esteem them, 

10. What is the fifth? 
Thou shalt not kill. 

11. How should we fear God as to this ? [or injury. 
So as not to do our neighbor any bodily harm 

12. How should we love God as to this ? [and want. 
But rather assist and comfort him in danger 



beginner's catechism. 33 



Lesson 31. 

1. What is the Sixth Commandment ? 
Thou shalt not commit adultery. 

2. What does this mean ? 

We should so fear and love God, as to be 
chaste and pure in our words and deeds. 

3. What especially does it require ? [her husband. 
Each one also loving and honoring his wife or 

4. What is the Seventh Commandment ? 
Thou shalt not steal. 

5. How should we fear God as to this ? [or property. 
So as not to rob our neighbor of his money 

6. What more is meant ? 

Nor bring it into our possession by unfair 
dealing or fraudulent means. 

7. How should we love God as to this ? [it. 
But rather assist him to improve and protect 

8. What is the Eighth Commandment ? [neighbor, 
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy 

9. How should we fear God as to this ? 

So as not deceitfully to belie, betray, slander, 

nor raise injurious reports against our 

neighbor. 
10. How should we love God as to this ? 
But apologize for him, speak well of him, and 

put the most charitable construction on 

all his actions. 



34 beginner's catechism. 

Lesson 32. 

1. What is the Ninth Commandment ? 

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house. 

2. How should we fear God as to this ? 

So as not to desire by craftiness to gain pos- 
session of our neighbor's inheritance or 
home. 

3. What more does this mean ? [right. 
Or to obtain it under the pretext of a legal 

4. How should we love God as to this ? 

But be ready to assist and serve him in the 
preservation of his own. 

5. What is the Tenth Commandment ? 

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife ; nor 
his man-servant, nor his maid-servant. 

6. What else is forbidden? [thy neighbor's. 
Nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is 

7. How should we fear God as to this ? [him. 
So as not to alienate our neighbor's wife from 

8. What more is meant ? [tie. 
Nor entice his servants, nor let loose his cat- 

9. How should we love God as to this ? 

But use our endeavors that they may remain. 

10. What more is meant ? 
And discharge their duty to him. 



beginner's catechism. 



35 



Lesson 33. 

1. What is said of all these Commandments ? 
I the Lord thy God am a jealous God. 

2. How does God arouse our fear ? [children. 
Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the 

3. How far does this extend ? [that hate me. 
Unto the third and fourth generation of them 

4. How does God arouse our love ? 
And showing mercy unto thousands. 

5. How far does this extend? [mandments. 
Of them that love me, and keep my com- 

6. What is meant by this ? 

God threatens to punish all those who trans- 
gress these commandments. 

7. What then should we dread ? 

We should therefore dread his displeasure. 

8. How should we not act? [ments, 
And not act contrarily to these command- 

9. But what does God promise ? 

He promises grace and every blessing to all 
who keep them. 

10. What therefore should we do ? 

We should therefore love and trust in him. 

11. How can we show this ? [us. 
And cheerfully do what he has commanded 



36 beginnee's catechism. 

Lesson 34. 

h What is the Creed? 
The Articles of the Christian faith. 

2. Of what does the first Article treat? 

Of Creation. 

3. What does it confess ? 

I believe in God the Father Almighty. 

4. What does it declare Him to be ? 
Maker of Heaven and earth. 

5. What do I believe as to this ? [that exists. 
I believe that God hath created me and all 

6 . What then has He given me ? [my body and soul. 
That He hath given and still preserves to me 

7. What does this imply ? 

With all my limbs and senses, my reason and 
all the faculties of my mind. 

8. What does this include? 

Together with my raiment, food, home and 
family, and all my property. 

9. What does God provide me ? 

He daily provides me abundantly with all the 
necessaries of life. 

10. How does He protect me ? 

He protects me from all danger, and pre- 
serves me and guards me against all evil. 



beginner's catechism. 37 



Lesson 35. 

1. Why does God protect and preserve me? 

All this he does out of pure, paternal, and di- 
vine goodness and mercy. 

2. Is there no merit on my part ? 
Without any merit or worthiness in me. 

3. What am I then bound to do ? 

For all this I am in duty bound to thank, 
praise, serve and obey him. 

4. Is this indeed true ? 
This is most certainly true. 

5. Of what does the second Article treat ? 
Of Redemption. 

6. Who is our Redeemer ? 

And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord. 

7. How is he God ? 

Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost. 

8. How is he Man ? 
Born of the Virgin Mary, 

9. How did he redeem us ? [dead and buried. 
Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, 

10. What then did he do ? [again from the dead. 
He descended into hell, the third day he rose 

11. What is his present state? 

He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the 
right hand of God the Father Almighty. 

12. What finally will he do ? [quick and the dead. 
From thence he shall come to judge the 



38 beginnek's catechism. 

Lesson 36. 

1. What do I believe of J esus Christ ? [from eternity. 
That he is true God, begotten of the Father 

2. What also do I believe of him ? 

And also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, 

3. What is he to me ? 
He is my Lord. 

4. What has he done for me ? [demned creature. 
Who hath redeemed me, a lost and con- 

5. How has he redeemed me ? 

Secured and delivered me from all sins. 

6. From what more has he delivered me ? 
From death, and from the power of the devil. 

7. How has he done this ? [and precious blood. 
Not with silver and gold, but with his holy 

8. What does this mean ? 

With his innocent sufferings and death. 

9. Why has he done this ? [in his kingdom. 
In order that I might be his, live under him 

10. What am I to do there ? [cence and blessedness. 
Serve him in everlasting righteousness, inno- 

11. What assurance have I of this ? 

Even as he is risen from the dead, and lives 
and reigns to all eternity. 

12. Is this indeed true ? 
This is most certainly true. 



beginner's catechism. 39 

Lesson 37. 

1. Of what does the third Article treat ? 
Of Sanctification. 

2. Who sanctifies me ? 

I believe in the Holy Ghost. 

3. Wherein does he sanctify me ? 
The holy Christian Church. 

4. What is the Church ? 
The communion of saints. 

5. What do I thus obtain ? 
The forgiveness of sins. 

6. For what do I therefore hope ? 
The resurrection of the body. 

7. Into what do T thus enter ? 
The life everlasting. 

8. With what word do I seal my belief? 
Amen. 

9. What does this imply as to my own strength ? 

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or 
strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, 
or come to him. 

10. How then can I come ? 

But the Holy Spirit has called me. 

11. How does the Spirit call me ? 
Through the Gospel. 



40 



beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 38. 

1. What has the Spirit done for me ? 
Enlightened me by his gifts, and sanctified 

and preserved me in the true faith. 

2. To whom does His work extend ? 

In like manner as he calls, gathers, enlight- 
ens, and sanctifies the whole Christian 
Church on earth. 

3. How does He preserve the Church ? 

And preserves it in union with Jesus Christ. 

4. What is the bond of this union ? 
In the true faith. 

5. What is the benefit of this union ? 

In which Christian Church he daily forgives 
abundantly all my sins, and the sins of 
all believers. 

6. What more will the Spirit do ? 

And will raise up me and all the dead. 

7. When will He do this ? 
At the last day. 

8. What will He thus grant to me ? 
And will grant everlasting life to me. 

9. Who will share this with me ? 
And to all who believe in Christ. 

10. Is this indeed true ? 
This is most certainly true. 



beginner's catechism. 41 



Lesson 39. 

1. Which is the third part of the Catechism ? 
The Lord's Prayer. 

2. What is the introduction to it ? 
Our Father who art in heaven. 

3. Why doe3 God call himself our Father ? [us. 
God would thereby affectionately encourage 

4. To what are we then encouraged ? 

To believe that ne is truly our Father. 

5. What more then dare we believe ? 
And that we are his children indeed. 

6. To what does this give us the right ? 
So that we may call upon him. 

7. With what spirit dare we do this ? 
With all cheerfulness and confidence. 

8. What example is there for this ? 

Even as beloved children entreat their affec- 
tionate parent. 

9. What is the first petition of the prayer ? 
Hallowed be thy name. 

10. Is not God's name already holy ? 

The name of God is indeed holy in itself. 

11. What then is meant by this petition ? 

But we pray in this petition that it may be 
hallowed also by us. 



42 beginnek's catechism. 



Lesson 40. 

1. When is God's name hallowed ? [and purity 
When the Word of God is taught in its truth 

2. What more is necessary also ? 

And we, as the children of God, lead holy 
lives, in accordance with it. 

3. What then should be our prayer ? [help us. 
To this may our blessed Father in heaven 

4. Who stands in the way of this ? 

Whoever teaches or lives otherwise than as 
God's word prescribes. 

5. Of what is such a one guilty ? 

He profanes the name of God among us. 

6. What should we pray as to this ? 

From this preserve us, Heavenly Father. 

7. What is the second petition ? 
Thy kingdom come. 

8. Does this depend upon us ? [without our prayer. 
The kingdom of God comes indeed of itself, 

9. For what then do we pray in this petition ? 
That it may come unto us also. 

10. When is this effected ? 
When our heavenly Father gives us his Holy 
Spirit so that by his grace we believe his 
holy word. 

11. How then will we live ? [heaven forever. 

And live a godly life here on earth, and in 



beginner's catechism. 



43 



Lesson 41. 

1. What is the third petition ? 

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, 

2. Does God's will depend upon us ? 

The good and gracious will of God is done 
indeed without our prayer. 

3. What then do we ask in this petition ? 

But we pray in this petition that it may be 
done by us also. 

4. When is this effected ? 

When God frustrates and brings to nought 
every evil counsel and purpose. 

5. How would these hinder us ? [name of God. 
Which would hinder us from hallowing the 

6. What would these prevent? 

And prevent his kingdom from coming to us, 

7. What are such evil things? 

Such as the will of the devil, of the world, 
and of our own flesh. 

8. How does God prevent this ? 
When he strengthens us. 

9. In what does this result ? [faith, 
He keeps us steadfast in his word and in the 

10. How long does this strength continue? 
Even unto our end. 

11. Why does our Father do all this ? 
This is his gracious and good will. 



44 beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 42. 

1 . What is the fourth petition ? 
Give us this day our daily bread. 

2. Will we get no food unless we pray ? 

God gives indeed without our prayer even to 
the wicked also their daily bread. 

3. For what then do we pray ? 

But we pray in this petition that he would 
make us sensible of his benefits. 

4. What will this enable us to do ? 

And enable us to receive our daily bread with 
thanksgiving. 

5. What is " our daily bread ?" 

All things that pertain to the wants and the 
support of this present life. 

6. Which are some such things ? 

Such as food, raiment, money, goods, house 
and land, and other property. 

7. What else is implied ? 

A believing spouse and good children. 

8. What else is needed ? 

Trustworthy servants and faithful magistrates. 

9. What more is desirable ? f tion and honor. 
Favorable seasons, peace and health, educa- 

10. What finally may be added ? 
True friends, good neighbors, and the like. 



beginner's catechism. 



45 



Lesson 43. 

1. How does the fifth petition begin? 
And forgive us our trespasses. 

2. How does it end ? 

As we forgive those who trespass against us, 

3. For what do we pray here ? 

We pray in this petition that our heavenly 
Father would not regard our sins. 

4. What else do we ask ? 

Nor deny us our requests on account of them. 

5. Why need we fear this ? [we pray. 
For we are not worthy of anything for which 

6. Why are we not worthy ? 
And we have not merited it. 

7. How then dare we ask ? [grace. 
But that he would grant us all things through. 

8. What opposes this grace ? 
Although we daily commit much sin. 

9. What do we deserve for this ? 
And deserve chastisement alone. 

10. What then will we do in turn ? [gi ye * 
We will therefore, on our part, heartily for- 

11. And what more will we do ? 

And also readily do good to those who may 
injure or offend us. 



46 



beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 44. 

1. What is the sixth petition ? 
And lead us not into temptation. 

2. Does God tempt us? 

God indeed tempts no one to sin. 

3. For what then do we pray? 

We pray in this petition that God would so 
guard and preserve us. 

4. From what shall He guard us ? 

The devil, the world, and our own flesh. 

5. Why shall He guard us ? [into error. 
That they may not deceive us, nor lead us 

6. In what would this end ? [ful sins. 
Unbelief, despair, and other great and shame- 

1. May we be thus tempted ? 
We may be thus tempted. 

8. Though we be, for what may we trust ? 

That we may nevertheless finally prevail and 
gain the victory. 

9, What is the last petition? 
But deliver us from evil. 

10. How do we pray in this petition? 
As in a summary. 

1 1. For what do we pray our heavenly Father ? [evil, 
That he would deliver us from all manner of 



beginner's catechism. 47 



Lesson 45. 

1. From what evil do we ask deliverance ? 
Whether it affect the body or soul. 

2. What else may it affect ? 
Property or character. 

3. When can we cease to ask this ? 

At last when the hour of death shall arrive. 

4. For what then do we pray ? 
Grant us a happy end. 

5. What will God's final deliverance be ? 
Graciously to take us from this world of sor- 
row to himself in heaven. 

6. What is the Conclusion ? 

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and 
the glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

1- What is meant by " Amen ?" 
That I should be assured that such petitions 
are acceptable to our heavenly Father. 

8. If acceptable, what then ? 
And are heard of him. 

9. Can I be sure of this ? [this manner. 
For he himself has commanded us to pray in 

10. And what has he promised ? 
That he will hear us. 

11. What does " Amen, amen," signify ? 

Yea, yea, it shall be so. 



48 beginner's catechism , 



Lesson 46. 

1. What is Baptism ? 
Baptism is not simply water. 

2. What water is it then ? [command, 
It is the water comprehended in God's com- 

3. With what is it connected ? 

And connected with God's Word. 

4. What is that word of God ? 

Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them. 

5. Baptizing them in whose name ? 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, 
and of the Holy Ghost. 

6. Where is this word written ? 

In the last chapter of Matthew, verse 19. 

7. What gifts does Baptism convey ? 
It works forgiveness of sins. 

8. From what does it deliver ? 

Pt delivers from death and the devil. 

9. What does it confer ? 

It confers everlasting salvation. 

10. On whom alone do these benefits come ? 
On all who believe. 

11. Is this indeed true ? 

As the word and promise of God declare. 

12. Where is this word written? 

In the last chapter of Mark, verse 16. 



beginner's catechism. 



49 



Lesson 47. 

L What is written in Mark 16 : 16 ? [saved. 
He that belie veth and is baptized, shall be 

2. What further is written ? 

But he that believeth not, shall be damned, 

3. Whose words are these ? 

Those which our Lord Jesus Christ spake. 

4. How can water produce such great effects ? 
It is not the water which produces them. 

5. What is it then ? [connected with the water. 
The Word of God which accompanies and is 

6. What in ust go with this ? [nected with the water. 
Our iaith which relies on the Word of God con- 

7. What therefore is baptism ? 
A washing of regeneration. 

8. Who declares this ? [ses 5 to 8. 
St. Paul says so to Titus ; chapter third, ver- 

9. What does such baptizing with water signify ? 
That the old Adam in us is to be drowned 

and destroyed by daily sorrow and re- 
pentance. 

10. What more does it signify ? 

That the new man should daily come forth 
and rise that shall live in the presence of 
God forever. 

11. Where is it so written? 

St. Paul to the Romans, chapter 6, verse 4. 



50 



beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 48. 



1. What is the Sacrament of the Altar ? 

It is the true body and blood of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, 

2. For whom is this Sacrament ? 

It is given unto us Christians to eat and to 
drink, as it was instituted by Christ him- 



In the holy gospels of Matthew, Mark, and 



The same night in which our Lord was be- 

5. What did our Lord then do ? 

He took bread : and when he had given 
thanks, he brake it, and gave it to the 
disciples. 

6. What did he say ? [is given for you. 
And said, Take, eat ; this is my body which 

7. What more did he say? 

This do, in remembrance of me. 

8. When he took the cup, what did he say ? 
Drink ye all of it. 

9. What did our Lord call the cup ? 

This cup is the new testament in my blood. 

10. What further did he say ? [sins. 
Which is shed for you for the remission of 

11. What did he command ? [brance of me. 
This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remem- 



self. 

3. Where is it so written? 



[Luke. 



4. When was it instituted? 



[trayed. 



beginner's catechism. 51 



Lesson 49. 

1. What are the benefits of this Sacrament ? 
Life and salvation. 

2. How do we obtain these ? 
Through the remission of sins. 

3. How can eating and drinking effect this? 
They do not produce this in themselves. 

4. What then does effect this ? 

The words of Christ : " given, and shed for 
you, for the remission of sins. 1 ' 

5. Who then receives this gift? [declare. 
He who believes these words, has what they 

6. Who then receives the Sacrament worthily ? 
He who accepts these words with truly be- 
lieving heart. 

7. What rite of the Church precedes our partaking 

of this Sacrament ? 

Confirmation. 

8. What is this ? [to lead a Christian life. 
A public confession of our faith, and promise 

9. What should precede Confirmation? 
Proper instruction in Christian doctrine. 

10. What should proceed from this ? 
A truly believing heart 

11. What will such a heart do ? 

Fear, love, and trust in God above all things. 



52 



beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 50. 

1. What is the Church Year? 

The Year as kept peculiarly by the church, 

2. Since when has it been kept? 

From the very early times of the church. 

3. Haw is it arranged ? [religion. 
With regard to the facts and doctrines of our 

4. Of what does it consist ? 
Of Festivals and Sundays. 

5. What two kinds of Festivals are there ? 
Movable and unmovable. 

6. Which are the movable? [ent years. 
Those which fall on different dates in differ - 

7. Which are the immovable ? 

Those which always come on the same date. 

8. With what does the Church Year begin ? 
With the Advent Sundays. 

9. How many are there ? 
There are always four, 

10. Which are they? 

The four Sundays before Christmas. 

11. What does u Advent " mean? 
Coming. 

12. To what do the Advent Sundays refer? 
To preparation for the coming of Christ 



beginner's catechism. 53 



Lesson 51. 

1. What follows Advent ? 
Christmas, on December 25th. 

2. What does it celebrate ? 

The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

3. Which is the next Festival ? 
The Circumcision of Christ. 

4. When is it celebrated ? 

On New Year's Day, January 1st. 

5. Which is the next Festival ? 
Epiphany, January 6th. 

6. What does it celebrate ? 

The manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, 

7. What follow Epiphany ? 

From one to six Sundays after Epiphany. 

8. On what does the number depend ? 
Upon the date of Easter. 

9. What follows the Epiphany Sunday? 
Septuagesima Sunday. 

10. What follow this Sunday? 
Sexagesima and Quinquagesima Sundays. 

11. When does Lent begin? [Easter. 
On Ash Wednesday, forty-six days before 

12. To what does Lent refer? 

To Christ's sufferings; and death for us. 



54 



beginner's catechism. 



Lesson 52. 

1. How many Sundays are there in Lent? 
Six ; ending with Palm Sunday. 

2. What is the week before Easter called ? 
Passion week, or Holy week. 

3. To what does Palm Sunday refer? 
To Christ's last entry into Jerusalem. 

4. To what does Good Friday refer ? 

The crucifixion and death of our Lord. 

5. When does Easter come? [Spring. 
The first Sunday after the first full moon in 

6. To what does it refer ? 

To the resurrection of Christ. 

7. How many " Sundays after Easter " are there ? 
Always five, before Ascension day. 

8. When is the Festival of the Ascension ? 
Forty days after Easter. 

9. What comes two Sundays later ? 
Whit-Sunday, referring to the Holy Ghost. 

10. What follows the next Sunday? 

Trinity Sunday, referring to the Triune God. 

11. How many Sundays are there after Trinity? 
From twenty-two to twenty-seven. 

12. When does the Eeformation Festival come? 
Always on October 31st. 



I 



